The burdens you're carrying right now probably weren't put on you by the Pharisees, as in Jesus' time, maybe it was you yourself who laid them on. Whomever and however they came to be there, as we come to the Table today, let us remember that this is a place to lay burdens down. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 26A 5-November-23”
Jesus tells us, in the gospel passage for today, that the focus of our life with God and each other is to love. Love God with all your heart, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 25a – 29-October-23”
We often think of giving to God what is God's during the time of the offering, but it's also appropriate at the Table. Here Jesus asks only one thing from us: "Do this to remember me." And so, we come to the table to remember the Christ who gave up his life that we might have life with God. … Read the rest “Table Meditation for Proper 24a – 22-October-23”
At the end of Paul's comments in Philippians 4 for today, he says, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Epistle) for Proper 23a – 15-October-23”
In the parable, Jesus reminds us that there are people who will reject his message of God's love. The thing is, that we all do that, at various times and in various ways. We're all sinners here at this table, make no mistake. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 22a – 8-October-23”
In the gospel story for today, the problem with those particular Pharisees was not their righteousness, but their focus on acting as door-keepers to the realm of God. For them, it was all about who was in and who was out. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 21 – 1-October-23”
In his parable, Jesus tells us that all workers in the vineyard would be given an equal measure. Some of the workers were disappointed that they didn't receive a greater measure. As we gather around this Table, let it not be so with us. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 20a – 24-September-23”
Jesus says we're supposed to forgive wrongs done seventy-times-seven times. In other words, too many times to keep count, so just don't keep count. When we're living up to that standard, the Table, where we gather with those we've forgiven, being forgiven countless times ourselves, can be a place of joy and peace as we celebrate that nothing separates us. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 19a – 17-September-23”
Isn't it amazing that, even in the midst of talking about what to do with difficult people, Jesus never loses sight of the open arms of God's welcome? His focus is not on how to punish someone who has wronged another, but on how to restore them. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 18a – 10-September-23”
Jesus showed the truth of his own words, "those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." So, at the Table, as you meet our Host, who laid down his life that we might have life with God, let's recommit ourselves to laying down all that stands in the way of our life with God. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 17 – 3-September-23”